Reformasi Dispatch

President Joko Widodo's sudden plan to engage in personal diplomacy with Putin involves high stakes.   Prospects for progress are daunting, but the  trip marks a welcome foray by Indonesia's leader into international affairs.  Ukraine's ambassador to Indonesia joins the pod to put the effort in context and help shed light on what is reasonable to anticipate.  Also: Megawati uncorks...

Indonesia's new and renewable energy bill includes provisions to support development of fossil fuels including coal bed methane and coal gasification. Also on the pod: Elite support solidifies for Ganjar, and a mini reshuffle. Get a free trial of Reformasi Weekly Newsletter at: https://bit.ly/reformasifree Support us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi It takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You...

Former VP nominee Sandiaga Uno joins Reformasi Dispatch to discuss his portfolio as tourism minister at a crucial juncture for the sector.   Jeff and Kevin examine the significance of Golkar's entrance into the 'United Indonesia Alliance' with Pan and PPP -- without any mention of Party Chair Airlangga Hartarto as its presidential contender.  Also: the mysterious Acute Hepatis outbr...

Kevin and Jeff interview Andy Yentriani, chairwoman of Indonesia's National Commission on Violence Against Women. Indonesia's landmark law on sexual crimes offers unprecendented protections against unwanted sexual advances and recriminations from alleged perpetrators. It has big shortcomings, too. Legislators have left treatment of rape for inclusion in a long-delayed revised criminal co...

Controlling domestic cooking-oil prices is President Widodo's reason for banning Indonesia's exports of palm oleins, which the world relies upon for food and cosmetics.  Will the draconian measure actually work?  If so, when?  Global concerns about food inflation are at stake.  Also on the pod: the Lowy Institute's Ben Bland discusses Indonesian attitudes toward democracy, internati...

In a breakthrough for social reform, the government and parliament outlawed assorted types of sexual abuse while introducing safeguards for victims.  Jeff and Kevin discuss how this overdue law, despite some shortcomings, can now serve as a platform for sustained efforts to improve justice in practice.  Also, Eurasia Group analyst Peter Mumford joins the pod to review precarious economic condition...

Reformasi Dispatch discussed Indonesia's energy transition with Robert O. Blake, the former US ambassador to Indonesia and now a senior advisor to US Special Climate Envoy John Kerry.  The US has identified Indonesia as a country with promising prospects for cooperation on climate action and Ambassador Blake recently concluded a high‑level visit to Jakarta on the topic.  Decommissioning coal-...

We are still on hiatus for this week. Meanwhile, we would like to introduce you to one of our best interview of the pod with Edward Tirtanata, founder of Kopi Kenangan. Support us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi It takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording services, editor's salary and music licensing. Luckily, you, estemeed listeners of Refo...

Indonesia's leading reformer met Reformasi Dispatch for an hour interview that appraised the economy's outlook amid extraordinary international conditions and heightening rhetoric about postponing elections.  With regard to prolonging the administration's tenure, Sri Mulyani Indrawati made clear that no urgency supports election postponement, and "no one is indispensible."...

A foremost climate‑action advocate within the Jakarta diplomatic corps joins the pod to assess areas of opportunities and constraints in Indonesia's efforts towards sustainability.  Ambassador Berg also discusses the war on Ukraine and notes that "Words matter".  In addition: Jeff and Kevin review the latest from Widodo administration officials keen on postponing elections, and asse...

This week's Reformasi Dispatch podcast examines the abrupt attempt by at least three pro‑Widodo parties, including Golkar, to prolong Widodo's presidency, ostensibly because an election would be detrimental.  Widodo himself has remained silent on the matter, exacerbating damage to Indonesia's international image at a time when its presidency of the G20 should be enabling the country...

With the nomination of presidential tickets barely 18 months away, image management is increasingly crucial for potential contenders -- especially Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo.  Jeff and Kevin recount events last week in the hamlet of Wadas, Central Java, where police clashed with community members opposed to a quarry project -- entangling the governor in unseemly controversy.  Also: Indon...

Over the next two years, fully half of all democratically elected regional heads across Indonesia will undergo replacement with interim appointees chosen by either the president or the home affairs minister.  Reformasi Dispatch examines multiple sources of confusion that already afflict the process. Also: Southeast Asia's first Holocaust Museum, in North Sulawesi, highlights an Indonesian Jew...

The founder of Indonesia's newest unicorn, Kopi Kenangan, provides an account of one company's adjustment to economic changes through real-time data usage.  Edward Tirtanata explains how the coffee purveyor expanded from humble origins a few years ago to 600 stores and counting -- while remaining profitable and cultivating a distinctive HR culture.  Also, Jeff and Kevin examine Indonesia...

The World Bank’s lead economist for Indonesia discusses poverty, growth, and tax reform with the Reformasi Dispatch podcast.  Habib Rab delves into the impacts that threaten to constrain future growth and highlights the importance of social welfare interventions to mitigate trends in poverty.  He also underscores the importance of competitiveness and a multi-pronged approach to enhancing tax colle...

The Griffith University epidemiologist Dicky Budiman tells Reformasi Dispatch podcast that testing, tracing, and isolation matter more than ever -- and he assesses Sinovac's efficacy and the value of a Paxlovid shipment that arrived in Indonesia.  Also: Jeff and Kevin look at the fallout from the coal export ban and Prabowo Subianto's latest double-edged political overture. Get a free tr...

Momentum is building for progress on addressing sexual violence against women, children and the disabled.  Reformasi Dispatch speaks with Willy Aditya, a legislator heading the parliamentary working committee that appears to be on the verge of a breakthrough for a long-awaited Bill on Sexual Assault Crimes.  Also: Widodo makes an assertive start to 2022 -- banning coal exports, cancelling mine per...

Reformasi Dispatch speaks with Willy Aditya, a legislator heading the parliamentary working committee that appears to be on the verge of a breakthrough for a long-awaited Bill on Sexual Assault Crimes. This is the unabridged interview conducted in Indonesian. Get a free trial of Reformasi Weekly Newsletter at: https://bit.ly/reformasifree Support us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi It takes a lot of...

American Chamber of Commerce head Lin Neumann joins the podcast to discuss the impacts of the Constitutional Court's ruling on the landmark economic reform package of the Widodo administration, the 'Jobs Omnibus', and the outlook for investment.  Also: new natural disasters test response efforts and Natuna Sea tensions escalate. Get a free trial of Reformasi Weekly Newsletter at: ht...

The Eurasia Group’s South and Southeast Asia analyst joins Reformasi Dispatch to examine the preparations and reactions of regional governments to the emergence of the Omicron variant of Covid 19.  Depending on scenarios for the new variant’s levels of transmission and mortality, Peter looks at the political and economic capacity of ASEAN countries to weather another potential wave of infections....

Justices demanded corrections to the Omnibus Law on Job Creation - but Jeff and Kevin discuss how this may actually be a win for President Widodo and conditions for investment in manufacturing.  Also: preparations for the inevitable arrival of the Omicron variant.  And Murdoch University's Ian Wilson joins the pod to assess the state of the paramilitary-style gang Pemuda Pancasila in the wake...

This episode of the Reformasi Dispatch Podcast honors the departed Jakarta-based journalist Joe Cochrane, who covered Indonesia with inimitable style for over 20 years.  Also: will fisheries reform flounder?  And a roundup of key cabinet‑reshuffle scenarios and the energy minister’s latest pronouncements about transition from coal.  Support us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi It takes a lot of money...

Gecko Project investigators Margareth Aritonang and Tom Johnson join Reformasi Dispatch to detail Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto’s policy to clear forest for cassava plantations in Gunung Mas District, Central Kalimantan.  The team examines the corporate structure, commercial aspects, potential conflicts of interest, and risks posed for Indonesia’s credibility on resource management.  Also: Kev...

Former Solo Mayor FX Hadi Rudyatmo, a confidante of the president, brazenly defied PDI¬-Perjuangan Chair Megawati and openly endorsed Central Java Gov Ganjar Pranowo for president.  Will this finally bring the internal PDI-P impasse to an end and give impetus to nominating maneuvers?  In any event, circumstances confer an advantage on Ganjar.  Plus: the implications of state funding for the Indone...

CrossAsean equity analyst Angus Mackintosh rejoins Reformasi Dispatch to review Grab's IPO preparations, machinations among tech giants and digital trends in the Indonesian market (including an e-grocery boom).  Jeff and Kevin have a look at three abrupt developments with positive implications: a continued dwindling of Covid case detections, a swiftly passed tax law, and poll momentum for Cen...